U.S. patent application number 11/861556 was filed with the patent office on 2008-04-03 for base plate for built-in electrical device.
Invention is credited to Cristina Egea Soler.
Application Number | 20080081146 11/861556 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37813975 |
Filed Date | 2008-04-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080081146 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Egea Soler; Cristina |
April 3, 2008 |
BASE PLATE FOR BUILT-IN ELECTRICAL DEVICE
Abstract
In a base plate for built-in electrical device covers are fitted
through pressure by slotting triangular-shaped projections and have
a chromatic finish that is distinct from the base plate, so that
when one of the covers is fitted over the corresponding plate,
chromatic aspect of an ensemble is changed, which can be achieved
with different plate covers having different chromatic
finishes.
Inventors: |
Egea Soler; Cristina;
(Barcelona, ES) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Striker, Striker & Stenby
103 East Neck Road
Huntington
NY
11743
US
|
Family ID: |
37813975 |
Appl. No.: |
11/861556 |
Filed: |
September 26, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
428/99 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01H 2001/126 20130101;
E01H 1/1206 20130101; Y10T 428/24008 20150115; H01H 23/143
20130101; H01R 13/506 20130101; B65D 5/64 20130101; H01H 23/04
20130101; B65D 5/6602 20130101; H01H 23/00 20130101; H02G 3/14
20130101; H01H 2233/074 20130101; H01H 2233/018 20130101; H01H 9/18
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
428/099 |
International
Class: |
B32B 3/06 20060101
B32B003/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 28, 2006 |
ES |
20060117 |
Claims
1. Base plates for built-in electrical devices, with fittable
chromatic covers and intermediate frames, whose plates, duly fixed
to the metal frame or other fixing material of the built-in
electrical mechanism (3) constitute the element visible from the
outside, together with the rocker key (4) for actuating such
mechanism (3) or other accessory element located in it,
characterised in that they present covers (5) fitted through
pressure, by slotting triangular-shaped projections (7), which they
have on their edge, beneath the lower side rim (8) of said base
plates (1), with these covers (5) having a chromatic finish,
totally distinct from the base plates (1), all in such a way that
when one of these plate covers (5) is fitted over the corresponding
plate (1), the chromatic aspect of the ensemble is changed, an
objective that can be achieved as many times as necessary by using
different plate covers (5) with different chromatic finishes.
2. Base plates for built-in electrical devices, according to claim
1, characterised in that over the rocker key (4) for actuating the
electrical mechanism (3), situated in the window (2) of the base
plate (1) there is a key cover (6) with a different chromatic
finish to that of the key itself (4), a cover that is fitted
through pressure by the slotting of its lower rim (9) against the
lower edge of the rocker key itself (4), all in such a way that
when a key cover (6) is fitted over the corresponding key (4), the
chromatic aspect of the ensemble is changed, contemplating the
possibility of having two half-module rocker keys (11) to actuate
two distinct electrical mechanisms (3), on which respective covers
(12) are also fitted, through pressure like the key covers (6).
3. Base plates for built-in electrical devices, according to claim
1, characterised in that they contemplate the installation of a
plug socket mechanism (22), whose upper square part (23), is
positioned in the central window (2) of the base plate (1), in
which an intermediate frame is also fitted (13), whose upper face
(14) offers a suitable chromatic finish for its signposting and
location, leaving the side wall (15) jutted into the inside of the
window (2) by means of triangular projections (16) that it has on
the outside, which hook into a lower perimeter rim (17) of said
window (2) of the base plate (1).
4. Base plates for built-in electrical devices, according to claim
1, characterised in that they offer the possibility of having an
intermediate frame (13) (18) with such frame having a folding lid
(19) by means of rear hinges (20) and provided in turn with side
thickening parts (21) for fitting the lid over the frame, whose lid
(19) protects the holes in the upper part (23) of the plug socket
mechanism (22), and as the outside upper part of the cited frame
(18) ensuring the function of chromatic differentiation.
5. Base plates for built-in electrical devices, according to claim
1, characterised in that the intermediate frame (13) can be applied
in the embodiment of the electrical mechanism or mechanisms (3),
actuated by a rocker key (4), or two half-module rocker keys (11),
positioning this frame (13) on the perimeter contour of the window
(2) of the base plate (1) and always having its upper face (14)
visible.
6. Base plates for built-in electrical devices, according to claim
1, characterised in that the size of their sides may vary in
thickness, and preferably being less thick on the longer sides than
on the shorter ones, obliging, for this reason, the sizes of the
plate covers to be adjusted for their correct fitting.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The invention described and claimed hereinbelow is also
described in Spanish Patent Application 20060117 filed on Sep. 28,
2006. This Spanish application, which subject matter is
incorporated here by reference provides the basis for a claim of
priority of invention under 35 U.S.C. 119(a)-(d).
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to base plates used for
installing and mounting built-in command and control electrical
devices, whose plates, suitably attached to the metal frame for
fixing of the built-in electrical devices, close and perfectly hide
that area, leaving visible from the outside only the base plate
itself, together with the element for actuating the electrical
device or other accessory element such as rocker switches or keys,
etc.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Precisely the fact that only the base plate is visible from
the outside of the built-in electrical device, together with the
element situated in its central area, makes this repeatedly cited
plate an element of considerable importance from the aesthetic and
decorative point of view.
[0004] Experts in interior design, when designing the area or areas
to be decorated, whether in private residences or places used as
offices, studios and similar, wish to have electrical elements in
harmony with the decor, by using base plates in an appropriate
chromatic finish, in addition to actuating devices such as rocker
switches or keys or similar, especially the keys located in the
central area of the plate.
[0005] However, all of the foregoing presents a notable
inconvenience, since when there is a change in decor of the
relevant place, the interior design expert may wish to change the
chromatic tones of the base plates installed in the various points
of the place in question, which has a high cost in terms of both
labour for dismantling and subsequent installation of the
electrical device, and having to buy a new plate with a different
chromatic appearance, throwing away the existing one long before
its useful life is over.
[0006] The base plates that form the object of the present
invention offer a practical and financially economical solution to
the abovementioned problems, since they offer the possibility of
fitting on the installed base plate, without the need for any
accessory, a cover in the right chromatic tone, meaning that the
decorator or interior design specialist can have the required tone
for the designed ensemble.
[0007] In addition to the foregoing, this invention presents the
possibility of installing covers in different chromatic tones on
the switch, generally of the rocker type, installed in the central
area of the base plate, and likewise, the intermediate fitting of
frames, installed in the opening or central window of the base
plate, frames which, in a practical embodiment of the invention,
would have a folding lid, of enormous use for electrical devices
such as sockets, since the lid would protect the area at a lower
level, where the socket base mechanism is located.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is an exploded persective view of the components of
the practical embodiment of the electrical mechanism actuated by
the rocker switch, object of the invention, showing the cover of
the base plate drawn firstly in outline next to the exploded
assembly, like the rocker switch cover, also drawn in a dotted
line. Both covers also appear fully drawn in the corresponding
place;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to that of the
preceding figure, with the corresponding covers also represented by
means of dotted lines and in the corresponding place in a
continuous line, for the embodiment of the double electrical
mechanism, activated through the two half-module rocker keys;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a similar view to that of the previous two
drawings, and especially the 1.sup.st, with an intermediate frame
situated around the switch.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a similar view to that of the three preceding
drawings, in the embodiment of a double electrical device and two
half-module keys, equipped with an intermediate frame situated
around the two keys;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view, according to FIG. 2,
showing the base plate, its cover, a key cover and two covers for
two half-module keys for the embodiment as a double electrical
mechanism;
[0013] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a
plug socket electrical device, with the base plate and cover for
it;
[0014] FIG. 7 is an embodiment represented in an equivalent manner
to the preceding figure in which the plate is fitted with an
intermediate frame;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a similar view to that of the preceding drawing,
but with the intermediate frame incorporating a folding lid.
[0016] FIG. 9 is a section view of the base plate with its cover
fitted on it, showing how it is attached;
[0017] FIG. 10 is a close-up, in larger scale, of the way of
fitting the cover on to the base plate as shown in FIG. 9;
[0018] FIG. 11 is a section view of a key with its cover
fitted;
[0019] FIG. 12 is a section of a key with its cover fitted;
[0020] FIG. 13 is a section view of the base plate with an
intermediate frame installed on it;
[0021] FIG. 14 is a similar section to that of the preceding
drawing, but with the intermediate frame fitted with a folding lid
that is lifted open; and
[0022] FIG. 15 is a close-up, in larger scale of the fitting of the
intermediate frame, with or without the folding lid, on the base
plate.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0023] In accordance with all of these drawings, the present
invention consists of a base plate (1), with its central window
(2), situated, in the embodiment of this description, slightly
displaced towards the upper end of greater length.
[0024] Beneath this base plate (1) is situated the relevant
electrical device (3) while above the plate, and coinciding with
the window (2), in terms of position and size, the actuating rocker
key (4) is installed.
[0025] This rocker key (4) is fixed by means of protrusions (4a)
which slot onto the rocker arm (3a) of the electrical device
(3).
[0026] On the base plate (1) suitably fitted is the plate cover
(5), of the right dimensions for the base plate and made of a
sufficiently elastic material for the cover to fit appropriately
over the base plate (1), a cover with the right chromatic finish,
according to the user's requirements.
[0027] A cover (6) of similar characteristics is likewise fitted
appropriately over the rocker key (4), a cover that also has the
right chromatic finish for the assembly's decorative
requirements.
[0028] The plate cover (5) has a window (5a) of the same size and
in the same location as the window (2) of the base plate (1) for
ideal fitting and adjustment.
[0029] The plate cover (5) has by the lower edge of its two side
faces, appropriate triangular section projections (7), in the form
of a nail, which through pressure jut into the side rims (8) that
the base plate has on its lower edge. Hollows (7a) situated next to
the projections (7) by the edge of the cover (5) facilitate the
removal of the cover while notches (8a) located beneath the rim (8)
also facilitate the removal operation.
[0030] The cover of the key (6) in turn possesses a rim (9) by its
lower perimeter, constituting a groove (9a) in a right angle that
fits underneath the lower edge (10) of the rocker key (4). This rim
(9) of the key cover (6) is rounded throughout its surface, as
shown in FIGS. 11 and 12.
[0031] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the assembly contemplates
two electrical devices (3), with the base plate (1) and the plate
cover (5) the same as in the embodiment described above, varying,
as is evident, in the two half-module rocker keys (11), each one
for actuating the corresponding electrical device (13).
[0032] On these half-module keys (11) respective covers (12) are
fitted, with identical characteristics as those of key cover (6),
both in terms of the type of material and chromatic finish, and
means for fixing to the respective half-module keys (11).
[0033] Both in the embodiment with a single rocker key (6) and in
the embodiment with the two half-module rocker keys (11), an
intermediate frame (13) can be fitted, identical in both
embodiments, a frame that can be fitted into the window (2) of the
base plate (1), leaving its upper face (14) visible, above the
upper face of the base plate (1) itself.
[0034] This intermediate frame (13) has on its side faces (15)
triangular section projections (16) whose flat face slots beneath
the inner rim (17) of the window (2) of the base plate (1), as
shown in FIGS. 13 and 15.
[0035] Said intermediate frame presents a variation of its
embodiment as a frame (18) with a folding lid (19), equipped with
the necessary hinges (20) in its rear zone in addition to side
thickening parts (21) for fitting this folding lid (19) on to the
intermediate frame (18), all as shown in FIGS. 8 and 14.
[0036] Finally, in the embodiment of the electrical mechanism for a
plug socket (22) this mechanism is positioned by slotting the upper
square part (23) of its body in the window (2) of the base plate
(1), base plate on which the appropriate plate cover (5) is
fitted.
[0037] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the intermediate frame (13) is
placed on the perimeter edge of the window (2), as, in the
embodiment with an evidently protective purpose, the intermediate
frame (18) equipped with the folding lid (19), which avoids passing
inside the upper part (23) of the plug socket mechanism (22).
[0038] Having sufficiently described the object of the present
invention referred to in the present specification, any variation
in size, shape, chromatic tones, and types of materials used to
realize it, in no way alters the essence of the invention, as
summarised in the following claims.
* * * * *